Award

NCF: LAP Water Infrastructure Grant - Enabling ADA Contract

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

05 Feb 2026 at 09:59

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

12 Jan 2026 at 16:29

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 Jan 2026 at 13:07

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, initiated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), involved the awarding of a contract titled "NCF: LAP Water Infrastructure Grant - Enabling ADA Contract". This falls under the services industry category with a focus on market research services pertaining to water infrastructure. Both the buying and supplying organisations are located in the United Kingdom, with the buyer based in London and the supplier in Warwickshire. The procurement method used was a direct award, justified by the specialist expertise required, and was conducted under the framework of the 2023 Procurement Act. The procurement process is currently in the Award stage, with the contract being active from 2 February 2026 to 31 March 2026, and options for extension are available. The maximum contract period may extend up to 31 March 2030.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in water management and infrastructure, particularly those with expertise in market research services relevant to water level management and lowland peat water sectors. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with these capabilities would find themselves well-suited to this type of contract, given the supplier involved is also an SME. The direct award nature of the procurement could encourage businesses with niche expertise and an understanding of sector-specific challenges to grow by partnering with central government departments such as Defra. Opportunities for contract renewals and extensions further increase the potential for long-term business growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NCF: LAP Water Infrastructure Grant - Enabling ADA Contract

Notice Description

This contract will be for the procurement of 'Services' of subject matter expertise from ADA, required for the evaluation of the LAPSIP grant scheme, continued engagement with the lowland peat water sector (particularly IDBs), and to support the preparation ahead of a new programme, which received funding through SR25.

Procurement Information

ADA has subject matter expertise in water level management not identified elsewhere that is required to support successful delivery of outcomes, particularly to apply lessons learnt, inform a new application process and support development of the new programme. As per Chapter 3 (Section 41), Schedule 5 of the 2023 Procurement Act, this contract meets the Direct Award justification of 'Single Supplier' with the following conditions met for a public contract: (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0603ac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010287-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,140,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,140,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
2 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Additional Buyers

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Contact Name
Joanne Parkin
Contact Email
joanne.parkin@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ASSOCIATION OF DRAINAGE AUTHORITIES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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